Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy studies show domain-specific interactions of calmodulin with IQ target sequences of myosin V.

Single cysteine mutants of calmodulin, Cam(S38C) and Cam(N111C), have been specifically labelled with Alexa488 maleimide to study the effects of calcium on the structural dynamics of calmodulin complexed with IQ3, IQ4 and IQ34 target peptide motifs of mouse unconventional myosin-V. Using phase fluorometry, the time-resolved anisotropy shows well-separated global and segmental correlation times. The calcium-sensitive global motion of either calmodulin domain can be independently monitored in domain-specific interactions of either apo- or Ca(4).calmodulin with IQ3 or IQ4 peptides. C-domain interactions predominate, and apo-N-domain interactions are unexpectedly weak. The 1:1 complex of Ca(4).calmodulin with IQ34 behaves as a compact globular species. The results demonstrate novel dynamic aspects of calmodulin-IQ interactions relating to the calcium regulation of motility of unconventional myosin.